New Glasgow in Pictou County, Nova Scotia — The Atlantic Provinces (North America)
Captain George R. McKenzie
"Father of Pictou County Shipbuilding"
Photographed By Cosmos Mariner, July 19, 2019
1. Captain George R. McKenzie Marker
—Stories from Pictou County’s Past, Clyde F. Macdonald, 2014
Born in Halifax in the year 1798. At a very young age George McKenzie would move to Fisher’s Grant (Pictou Landing) with his mother and siblings, after their father passed away. In his early twenties, George McKenzie launched his five decade ship building and sea faring career. In 1840 he started the town’s (New Glasgow) first shipyard which eventually built or owned 35 ships that sailed the seven seas of the world.
”No Nova Scotia seaman had the reputation among his contemporaries for doing things that Capt. McKenzie had. If there were obstacles that appeared to everybody else to be insurmountable, he over came them.”
—Capt. George McKenzie An Appreciation, J.H. Sinclair, 1920
In the year 1855, Captain George McKenzie was encouraged to enter Nova Scotia politics. He first ran as a winning reform candidate in the riding of Pictou County. In the 1859 election MLA McKenzie was re-elected as a liberal candidate for the Pictou County Eastern Division. He retired from politics in 1863.
this page online
Erected 2015 by Pictou County Roots Society.
Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Industry & Commerce • Waterways & Vessels. A significant historical year for this entry is 1798.
Location. 45° 35.275′ N, 62° 38.741′ W. Marker is in New Glasgow, Nova Scotia, in Pictou County. Marker is on Glasgow Street just south of Dalhousie Street, on the right when traveling north. Marker is located in the small park in the east side of Glasgow Street, near the New Glasgow Community Kiosk. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: New Glasgow NS B2H 5E1, Canada. Touch for directions.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. New Glasgow (a few steps from this marker); A Memorial to the Ship Building Industry (within shouting distance of this marker); George Frederick Cameron (within shouting distance of this marker); Industrial Centre Lofts (about 90 meters away,
2. Marker detail: Captain George R. McKenzie
Also see . . . Captain George Rogers McKenzie. McKenzie was known as the “father of shipbuilding” in Pictou County for he led the way in constructing vessels of a superior class which he owned and usually sailed himself. His business flourished during the 1850s and 1860s when wooden vessels from the Maritimes were needed for the timber trade to Great Britain, for the coal trade from Pictou to the United States, and for supplying the British and American armies during the Crimean War and the American Civil War. (Submitted on January 27, 2020, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida.)
3. Marker detail: George McKenzie’s Residence & Shipyard
4. Marker detail: New Glasgow Riverfront
5. Marker detail: United Church (Westminster)
Captain George McKenzie and wife Sarah (McGregor) were very involved in the Presbyterian faith of New Glasgow. In the year 1874, Capt. McKenzie and Elder Hugh Ross began construction of the United Church (Westminster). True to Capt. McKenzie’s and new Glasgow’s ship building heritage, the church’s interior was built in the shape of a ships hull upside down. This church opened on January 9, 1876. Four months later on May 12, 1876 Captain George Rogers McKenzie passed away at the age of 78. He is buried in Riverside Cemetery, New Glasgow.
6. Marker detail: The ship Hamilton Campbell Kidston
”…Capt. McKenzie in 1852 skippered his New Glasgow-built 1440 ton Hamilton, Campbell, Kidston up the Clyde River into Glasgow, Scotland, where no big ship had ever dared go before.”
—Ships, Shipbuilding and Seamen of Pictou County, James M. Cameron, 1990
—Ships, Shipbuilding and Seamen of Pictou County, James M. Cameron, 1990
courtesy of Pictou County Genealogy & Heritage Society – Pictou
7. Marker detail: The ship John McKenzie
The ship John McKenzie was named for Capt. George’s brother who died at sea in 1845 and was conveyed back to New Glasgow in a lead lined coffin which was filled with rum.
8. Marker detail: Ships Built by Capt. George McKenzie
Barque Sally — 1830 • Schooner Bee — 1840
Brig John — 1840 • Ship Sesostres — 1841
Barque Cleostratus —1841 • Ship John McKenzie — 1846
Ship Rover — 1847 • Barque Ann Black — 1849
Ship Clarence — 1849 • Brigantine Ripole —1850
Ship Montgomery —1850 • Barque Kohinoor — 1850
Ship Hamilton, Campbell Kidston — 1851
Ship Catherine Glen — 1852 • Brigantine Caroline —1852
Brigantine Henry Poole — 1853
Brigantine South Boston — 1853
Ship W.H. Davies — 1853 • Ship Alma —1854
Barque Voltigeur — 1854 • Ship Magna Charta — 185
Barque Meteor Flag — 1854 • Barque Isabelle Hamilton — 1855
Ship Black Watch — 1855 • Ship Sabastool — 1855
Brigantine Beaulieu — 1856 • Ship Disraeli — 1856
Brigantine Annie Laurie — 1857 • Ship William Kidston — 1857
Brigantine Alkmarr — 1857 • Brigantine Couquette — 1857
Ship Lord Clyde — 1864 • Ship County of Pictou — 1865
Photographed By Cosmos Mariner, July 19, 2019
9. Captain George R. McKenzie Marker • wide view
(Glasgow Street & East River in background)
(Glasgow Street & East River in background)
Credits. This page was last revised on January 27, 2020. It was originally submitted on January 21, 2020, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida. This page has been viewed 453 times since then and 48 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9. submitted on January 23, 2020, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida.
